Fire sparks 2 arrests

Wednesday

Oct 31, 2007 at 2:00 AM

PORTSMOUTH — A pair of homeless men who police say lit a campfire inside an abandoned gas station Monday night are charged with a combined three crimes. More charges may be forthcoming, said Police Capt. Lou Ferland, who told the Herald there were signs of forced entry at the 800 Lafayette Road building.

Elizabeth Dinan

PORTSMOUTH — A pair of homeless men who police say lit a campfire inside an abandoned gas station Monday night are charged with a combined three crimes. More charges may be forthcoming, said Police Capt. Lou Ferland, who told the Herald there were signs of forced entry at the 800 Lafayette Road building.

Police were called to the closed gas station at 5:45 p.m. on Monday night for a report of a fire. Ferland said investigating officers saw two men walking away from the building and based on witness descriptions and because both smelled of smoke, they were arrested.

One of the men, Thomas Beals, 27, of the Cross Roads House homeless shelter, was charged with class A misdemeanor counts of criminal trespassing and reckless conduct. His criminal history includes aJuly arrest for disorderly conduct after he was found intoxicated and sleeping on a parking garage toilet.

In April 2006 he was charged with stalking, criminal threatening and witness tampering, when police said he threatened to kill a woman known to him. According to public record, Beals was also arrested in February and September of 2004 for outstanding warrants and in August 2003 on a bench warrant for a driving-while-intoxicated charge.

Following his Monday arrest, Beals was released on $2,500 personal recognizance bail.

Also arrested following the fire was Michael Griggs, 28, also of the homeless shelter. He is charged with criminal trespassing and was also released on $2,500 personal recognizance bail.

Both are scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 3 in Portsmouth District Court.

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